Samford University’s fourth annual Old Howard 100 Bike Ride through the countryside of Perry and Hale counties will be Saturday, April 19.

The bicycle ride will begin at 9 a.m. on the campus of Judson College in Marion, Ala., where Samford was founded as Howard College in 1841. Routes of 30, 50, 70 and 100 miles take riders through Newbern, Greensboro, the Talladega National Forest, Folsom and the Perry Lakes wetlands region, depending on the length chosen. All routes end back at Judson College.

The routes include five Support and Gear (SAG) stops at sites of historic interest. Last year’s ride through Alabama’s historic Black Belt brought together more than 200 bicyclists from throughout the southeast.

Proceeds from the ride benefit Sowing Seeds of Hope and the ministry’s special assistance to persons with diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease. The 2007 bike ride raised $3,000 for the ministry.

On-site registration and package pickup begins at 8 a.m., with the start at 9 a.m.

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